Unexpectedly Close To The Edge
Set 3 years after Vampire Knight Guilty, however, certain enemies aren't as dead as they were thought to be.
~{}~ signifies a change in time or perspective
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, these awesome characters do not belong to me in any way. They belong to Matsuri Hino. I just stole them and put them to use for my own sick mind ;)
Summary: Yuki's death brings the two former enemies Zero and Kaname closer than they ever expected to be. As the two of them - both broken in their own way - struggle to pick up a life again, will they cope by putting each other together again?
Rated M: mature emotions, rape, violence, M/M lemon (seriously, rated M for good reason!)
AN: Sorry about the long wait once again. I'm not really satisfied with this chapter, but I haven't come up with improvements for a week which is why I'm just going to post it. (Yeah, I know it's long... and I've already shortened it...) As usual, any constructive suggestions are very welcome. I think I'm pouring a sick amount of my energy into this... hope I don't become as seriously twisted as Rido. Hope you enjoy ^^
Chapter 10: A Heartless Gamble
The silver-haired hunter was drying himself after his shower, his mind still mulling over his dream with Ichiru.
The accusation of being a traitor weighed him down heavily. He couldn't undo what he had done in his days at Cross Academy. He couldn't change the fact that he had taken blood from Yuki when she was human, he couldn't change the fact that he had killed his twin. He couldn't change the fact that he was a vampire.
But since Yagari had taken him under his wing again - even knowing about what he had done - he had trained hard and he had done nothing that directly made him culpable by hunter law since that time. True, he was a vampire and he was bonded to a pureblood now. But that technically wasn't forbidden.
He was still a hunter. A pureblood's pet, but a hunter nonetheless. And until Kuran forced him into doing something culpable he would act like a hunter. He didn't know how to behave like a vampire anyway.
The idea of having to drink blood regularly still didn't appeal to him. But Kuran was a vampire and not a human. Drinking his blood was not forbidden. Not by hunter law. Depending on the pureblood was not to his liking, but he would have to live with it. Dropping his towel, Zero went in search for his clothes as he recalled Kuran's demand.
You will drink until you are fully healed.
Indeed, he was now fully healed. It felt good to be strong again. He didn't know if he should even be angry at himself for not feeling remorse. Yes, it had been an order more or less to once more indulge in the delight of Kuran's pure blood. But he wouldn't lie to himself and pretend like it didn't taste good. Good didn't even come close to describing it. It didn't just please his senses - it burned them like fire, it didn't merely strengthen his body - it invaded him with power and Kuran's blood didn't just soothe or heal - it rebuilt him. He could feel it. Parts of his vampire body were becoming stronger - just from the few times he had taken that blood.
How would this continue? Zero didn't know what he'd do if one day he found there was no more hunter left in him. But up until now he found his hunter strength hadn't decreased. Right now he felt good. His entire body was strong. No, Kuran's blood defied description. Every time he drank it. Yet the experience had entirely been a new one this time because - for a change - he had been both sane and conscious when drinking last night.
Though Kuran had refrained from hugging him this time, taking blood was still so much more personal when you were conscious of what you were doing, it was so much more intimate when you weren't overcome with blood lust and mindlessly sucking up your donor's life. He couldn't lie to himself about it. He could feel the pureblood when he drank. The implications of that closeness were rather unnerving.
Kuran hadn't given him much of a choice, sitting on Zero's bed like that - in order to drink his blood, the hunter had been forced to straddle him - like a lapdog, he thought cringing. It was entirely too close for his comfort, but Zero had complied. He had promised not to refuse sustenance any longer and he kept his promises.
He obeyed the pureblood - out of his sense of honor. But even so - when he now saw Takuma or Aido - could he truly consider himself so different? Even if - as a hunter - Zero was always tempted to view them with nothing but contempt, how much of a difference was there between himself and them? Where exactly was his place?
He was still a hunter.
And what precisely did that mean besides being on the other side of the coin?
Zero was a bit offended at his own treacherous trail of thought. But it was in his nature to be a ruthlessly honest person - a bit on the ruthless side perhaps, but honest nonetheless. And therefore the question was unpleasant but justified. What did it mean to be a hunter?
As a child it had all been black and white. Hunters good - vampires bad. Until the day Yagari lost his eye. Simply fighting a Level E was bad enough, having to take a life no matter how justified that act was was always hard. But seeing a human you knew suddenly changed into a beast was entirely different. All of a sudden you couldn't be sure if one day you didn't have to shoot someone you thought you knew. And all of a sudden they all had faces. Faces that had once belonged to people. Human people. That had been yet another difficult lesson to learn.
But even after that, in general, the rule still applied. Level E's were a threat - no matter if they once were human. But not all vampires were Level E's. Throughout his time at Cross Academy, the hunter had tried to keep it at black and white. But the fact remained that the nobles were not all evil. Purebloods were another story, though. Zero loathed purebloods in general. Yet he wasn't sure if he could have killed Yuki Kuran if he had had the chance. Hell, he'd gotten the chance to finish off Kuran himself.
He hadn't.
It used to be all vampires were always bad. Now, he wasn't as naive to believe it was that simple anymore. Being a vampire himself had that effect, naturally. He could hate himself all he wanted, but as long as he didn't fall to Level E, he was not the soulless, evil creature the hunter prejudice claimed he was. That already made things complicated. And he could scoff all he wanted about how the vampires followed their purebloods. Were hunters truly that different? Didn't they all just follow orders as well? Not quite as sniveling or servile as they did, but still - the hunters all followed their superiors. Weren't even hunters just pawns in a stupid game of...
All of a sudden, Zero felt it. He felt it in the air around him, he felt it through their connection in their bond. Though Kuran wasn't sharing his thoughts, his emotions were obviously uncontainable, surging through him without restraint. That in itself was a bad sign.
Zero was busy gathering his hunter gear after he had dressed when he felt Kuran's emotional state sway from uncontainable toward something very dark. Like icy claws, the coldness crept up inside him. A terrible anger and a wild, untamable desire to destroy caught the hunter off guard in its intensity.
Shit!
He didn't know what exactly the pureblood was thinking, but he knew that this was not a good sign. It was not a safe state to be in for someone with Kuran's power. He could easily tell that this was not a calculated burst of anger, that this was not a game or a strategic move - there was no purpose in that destructive emotion. He wasn't calculating what to do about an enemy that had enraged him. He was just mad... Zero didn't understand precisely how he knew, but he was certain - Kuran was loosing it.
Why shouldn't they all tremble under my wrath?
~{}~
The pureblood stood motionless now, staring into Yuki's mirror. Everything was quiet around him. The sun shone brightly, letting the pureblood feel very hot. But he made no effort to soothe his discomfort. The Artemis lay there, still calling to him, promising a life without regret. But Kaname resisted. He didn't know if he'd be able to close himself to its lure indefinitely, but for now, he had made his choice. He would remain Kaname Kuran for as long as he could.
Only then did he finally notice the hunter standing not more than a few feet away. Zero still shut his emotions and thoughts out of their bond. Kaname was getting used to it slowly. Still, he should have felt his mate's presence sooner. Perhaps he was just too deep in thought now. A troubling notion.
"Kiryu." he nodded, acknowledging the hunter's presence. The hunter's calm gaze answered his as he nodded silently. Zero wasn't hiding, he wasn't threatening. He was simply watching the pureblood. Though he was fully armed - ready for work although Kaname thought he had gotten a day off after his injury - he wasn't pointing his Bloody Rose at his face.
Kaname didn't smile, but for all the distance they now both tried to put between each other, he couldn't lie to himself. Zero's presence provided much needed comfort. Even if he was here on hunter instinct only, it made him content. It calmed him. At least temporarily. He must have felt the pureblood's inner turmoil and decided to be there in case something happened. Kaname wasn't naive enough to believe that Zero would try to persuade him to snap out of it, that the hunter would be there for Kaname's sake or that he would truly care for Kaname if the pureblood went insane. The way he viewed the hunter, it was more likely that Zero would attempt to kill him if he did anything stupid. Or kill himself - which would provide the same end result. That thought lightened his heart a bit. Perhaps there was hope that someone would stop him, if he ever truly went over the edge.
Kaname's gaze fell on the Artemis again. He should give it to the hunter, he decided. After all, it was a hunter weapon first and foremost. Though a special one. Secondly, it was a strong reminder of Yuki, the love both he and the hunter shared for her demanded that either one or the other kept this token of her memory. But thirdly - and that was the true reason that he should not keep it for himself - it was attached to Kaname's former self. Its history was intertwined with his own and if he truly didn't want to fall prey to its call, then he should remove it from his immediate grasp without losing sight of it.
Giving it to Zero would be perfect. Resisting the urge to touch it, he lifted it with his mind and let it float to the hunter, who stood unmoving.
His lilac eyes followed its movement through the air with a calm look until it hovered in front of him.
"Please accept it, Kiryu. This weapon holds more memory than I care to bear." he left unspoken whether the 'memory' referred merely to Yuki or to a darker past that had triggered his temper. But he had a feeling that Zero would understand the depth of his words nonetheless.
Zero nodded slowly and held out his hand.
Kaname dropped the weapon into his palm.
Moments of silence passed in which the silver-haired hunter turned the Artemis over in his hands, regarding it carefully. Kaname was a bit surprised that he showed no apparent reaction to seeing Yuki's weapon. He thought it rather odd. But then again, Zero was a hunter and that certainly accounted for a vast amount of odd behavior. Again - even though he shouldn't be minding - it irked him to know so little about his mate. So he waited quietly.
When he finished his inspection of the weapon, Zero spoke, looking up at at the pureblood.
"You're playing a game of chess again, Kuran, aren't you." he said unexpectedly.
It wasn't a question. So Kaname didn't need to answer it. He remained silent as Zero continued.
"I appreciate your gift, even though I know that you have most likely given me this for a purpose and not merely as a gift to lighten your memory load." He silently lifted the Artemis. Still, Kaname didn't say anything. He didn't want to lie outright to Zero, but he didn't want to reveal all of his reasons. The hunter wasn't dense, Kaname could tell that Zero didn't expect to have his unspoken question answered.
Instead, his strange lilac eyes looked straight at him. Kaname should have been used to scrutinizing looks, should have been unfazed by Zero's direct gaze. He was used to meeting ancient purebloods at eye level and stoically withstand the toughest hunter interrogations when it came to his co-existence project. Perhaps if the hunter had given him his famous glare, Kaname would have been able to keep his facade.
He felt his expression soften under that gaze. With trouble, he concealed his longing for more closeness. Every time he saw those lilac eyes he would always be reminded of his dreams. If only Zero would glare at him... So many times, the hunter had given him his famous scowl. But this was a different Zero. Much more mature perhaps than he had anticipated. The lilac gaze was even, solemn and yet... for the first time Kaname noticed it was also... calculating.
It surprised him and he was sure that it showed in his own expression as well. However, the hunter didn't give a sign that he had noticed.
"As long as they are vampires," Zero began. "... it doesn't matter to me who your opponent is and who your pawns are - even if you are using me."
Kaname was impressed. This was a rather rare moment of insight into the hunter. Not only considering the words he used, but also the calmness with which he was speaking. No more aimless anger. He would most certainly not interrupt.
Zero continued with a steady voice. "But if I find out that innocent humans suffer, I cannot and I will not let it pass, Kuran. It doesn't matter that we're bonded. I am still a hunter. Play the vampires as you like, but leave the humans and hunters out of this."
Kaname held his gaze. "I understand."
Zero nodded and clasped the Artemis tightly. "I still treasure her memory, Kuran."
Kaname nodded in answer. "I know. So do I."
Zero's gaze said more than words. He didn't need to know the hunter's thoughts or feel what he felt. Zero was withholding all of that. But his look spoke volumes.
If you truly treasure her memory then why are you doing this?
But the hunter left it as his gaze and said nothing more. Instead, he merely nodded and with one last look, left the pureblood to his thoughts.
~{}~
Again, Kaname let his fingers stray over the wooden dresser. He was impressed by Zero. There wasn't much left of the irate teenage boy he had kept alive for Yuki's sake. She would have been proud of him. His fingers traced the ornate carvings in the wood. He could almost see Yuki sitting before him in a beautiful dark evening gown. He had kissed her neck here, had placed his fingertips just below her jawbone and then he had admired her wearing the jewelry she had chosen. It was a quiet memory and a soothing one. With a soft sound, Kaname opened the drawer. She had worn those earrings almost every day.
He himself had given them to her, he remembered. Earrings with beautiful jewels – jewels the color of the bloody crimson of his own blood. He had had them made at a jeweler's especially for her. It was the Kuran tradition… a ring, a pendant or some other piece of jewelry with the blood of one mate for the other.
He had never given it much thought, but that day when he had touched her and brushed them softly with his fingers, something had changed. Just a tingle of something strange. He hadn't been able to place it, but he had his suspicions now. He lifted the small jewel case and opened it.
Gleaming in the sunlight, they looked almost ordinary. Pretty, but ordinary. Kaname's fingers softly trailed along the delicate metal and brushed the stone.
It hit him so suddenly that he almost dropped the case. Quickly, he pulled his hand away. He was thirsty, so incredibly thirsty. His breathing was almost ragged and an icy pain remained in his chest, slowly fading. He stared at the case - this was certainly unexpected.
His sudden thirst was entirely unnatural, definitely induced by the touch of that jewelery. He needed blood – his bondmate's blood, to be exact. Kaname struggled to regain his composure. He was thirsty for Zero. He shouldn't be needing it so desperately, he'd had his blood a mere hours ago, right after Zero had drunk to rebuild his body's depleted strength. Something was wrong with the crystals of those earrings. He shut the case with a snap. Why would jewelery created from his blood hit him with the painful desire to drink Zero's blood upon touching it? Was it because Zero was his mate? Had it made Yuki need her mate's blood? Or had Yuki upon touching those earrings also desired Zero's blood? Or had she felt nothing at all?
Kaname couldn't recall embedding a charm in the blood crystals, especially not a charm that would force blood lust upon Yuki. If ever he had charmed anything of hers it would have been solely to protect his beloved. So the logical deduction of what just happened was fairly simple. Someone had tampered with Yuki's earrings. And not just anything - someone had tampered with a gift of his to her, a gift she had worn almost every day for about three years.
That thought alone let his blood boil in anger. His lips pressed into a thin line as he contained a new outburst of wrath. He was perfectly aware that his nerves were frayed and his emotions were not entirely stable. He quenched the anger and let his mind clear for rational thinking. Something was wrong with her earrings. It didn't have to mean anything.
But it could also mean everything. If this was something harmful, if that was truly the case, if... - then perhaps... No, it was far-fetched. A possibility, yes. But there was no reason to get his hopes up. Still, his treacherous heart had already begun hoping. There was this one forbidden shred of hope he was already entertaining that there was a possibility that it wasn't entirely his fault she had died.
He regarded the closed jewelery case in his hands. Though among other more pressing matters, this one certainly deserved careful consideration and a lot of attention. A lot of attention... It wasn't exactly a smile that crossed his face, but perhaps a less grim expression. Something with great importance to his personal life needed to be researched by someone loyal... He knew just the person to put in charge with it.
~{}~
Ojima sat down at the side of the bed, watching the girl sleep. She was pretty. He wondered how it had never struck him before, but now it did. She was so much like her mother. Perhaps he hadn't really ever spent enough time with her. And now he hadn't even been able to protect her.
Rido had stood right here in this very room.
The girl was naked in his arms, her large brown eyes glazed in lust, her long hair tumbling down her shoulders swaying with the motions as she moaned.
Rido hadn't hurt her. No, it was far worse. He had pleasured her. He had wrapped her around his finger, poisoning her mind with his 'love'. And Ojima - chained to the floor by Rido's will - had been forced to watch in silence.
He slid between her moist thighs, sliding his fingers into the dripping heat. The girl had her eyes closed as she writhed in pleasure. But the mismatched eyes weren't paying attention to her. They were focused on Ojima. Undeterred by the girl's closeness to her orgasm, he taunted her with his fingers, playing with her without even watching her reaction as he whispered to Ojima.
"Look at her beautiful face, watch her in her bliss. How she faithfully serves her pureblood, how she trusts him and how she is rewarded for her trust. She has already understood how simple the world is."
The world was anything but simple. But she couldn't know. She was merely a girl.
His fingers slid deep inside her. She screamed, her entire body convulsing as she came, while Rido moved his fingers inside her.
"Would you like more of this, my little one?" he asked seductively. Ojima cringed at the falseness of his generosity, could clearly hear the lie in his voice as he promised her salvation. But even if she hadn't been shuddering with pleasure, she was too young to understand that deception. In a feverish haze, she nodded fervently.
"Yes, Rido-sama..." she whispered. "Please..." she added between breaths. The pureblood gloated at the noble as he fingered his hard cock, pleasuring himself against her waiting entrance as Ojima was forced to watch without being able to make a sound. He teased her and she begged in her sweat, breathless voice. With a leering grin at Ojima, he eased his throbbing member into the small body. He must have done something to her because she seemed to feel no pain, only pleasure.
Ojima had watched the entire time, frozen into place on the floor by the pureblood, his eyes not able to leave the scene. He had watched Rido kiss her over and over again, watched her arch in pleasure and moan the pureblood's name in bliss.
By then end, she was exhausted and her small body retreated into slumber. As she slept, Rido kissed her lips and chin, leaving a trail of kisses down her throat. Then he paused just above her clavicle. Ojima saw his fangs elongate.
"I should taste her, what do you say?" Rido looked up, daring the noble to object.
"I should mark her, now while she adores me and she'll be mine forever. She'll follow me like a lapdog and spread her legs for me like a good little slut. And her father would do the same... wouldn't he...?" Rido smirked. Ojima wanted to howl in frustration but he couldn't. He was forced to watch in silence.
But the pureblood simply kissed her skin and got up, dressing unhurriedly.
"No... I won't taste her - but you should, my puppet. I can smell beneath her skin what you don't seem to notice. You don't share a bond with your wife, do you? Otherwise you'd know. She cheated on you... Your pretty wife cheated on you and this little girl here... this cute little angel you've been trying to defend against me... she isn't even your daughter... Perhaps you should find out, whose daughter she actually is. Blood doesn't lie. You'd be surprised..."
Still immobilized, Ojima could not answer to that as Rido left the door, chuckling to himself.
The noble smiled wryly as he watched the girl sleep. Soon the sun was going to set and she would wake. Perhaps a bit later than usual - she had been quite exhausted by Rido's 'attention'. It was his fault that she was already tainted at this young age. But at least it hadn't been rape. She looked so peaceful - and indeed very pretty. Too pretty to be his offspring, most likely. When Rido put it like that... She wasn't his daughter. But that didn't change his emotional attachment to her. For the past eleven years, he had cared for her thinking she was his daughter. No, nothing would change his attachment to her. However, it changed his emotional attachment to someone else very drastically.
~{}~
Kaname was already at the table when Takuma entered the room.
"Good morning, Takuma. Did you rest well?" Kaname greeted him looking up from his tablet pc.
Takuma nodded. "Good morning, Kaname. Yes I did. Thank you for asking. Did you sleep well?"
"My rest was sufficient." Kaname answered, returning to his business figures on the screen. In other words, he'd slept terrible. Of course, no one would be able to tell, Takuma thought regarding the pureblood. He looked flawless as usual.
Up until the day Yuki fell ill, Takuma hadn't ever seen the pureblood look like he'd been tired or sick. Just like today, Kaname appeared to be his usual self every day. But something was different today, he just couldn't really place it. Then he remembered again. He was sure there had been some kind of disturbance earlier. The noble recalled being drawn from his slumber by Kaname's darkening aura. At least, that was what he assumed it was. He couldn't be certain since he had been asleep, so he didn't want to mention it. Besides, it had passed fairly quickly and he had fallen asleep again soon after. The pureblood gave no sign of being troubled now. It was probably nothing to worry about, Takuma decided.
"Please, help yourself." Kaname's words startled him out of his thoughts. Smiling, the noble poured himself some coffee.
"Will Zero be joining us?" he asked lightly.
The pureblood laid aside his tablet and accepted Takuma's offer of more coffee.
"No. He left early tonight." Takuma wondered at this. The two of them spent very little time together. They were bonded, weren't they? Shouldn't they be feeling the need to spend every moment together? He shook the thought off - it wasn't his place to question Kaname's relationship. If anyone was private, it was Kaname.
They ate in companionable silence for much of the time though they chatted pleasantly about a few business related issues now and then.
"You are expected to attend a Council meeting today." Kaname said casually.
Takuma's smile vanished. "Have they invited us?"
"No, they sent no invitation for us."
"Then how..."
"They've been waiting outside for over an hour. I am sure they are waiting for you only."
Takuma's eyebrows shot up.
"You're a member of the Council now. Have you forgotten?" Kaname asked.
Takuma shook his head. "No, I haven't forgotten. I suppose I should probably hurry." he said without much enthusiasm.
"Don't trouble yourself. They are trained in waiting - they can wait a bit longer. Interesting that they should refuse to hide your involvement. It almost looks like they are subtly trying to threaten me. We could invite them in - just to fluster them."
Takuma wondered at Kaname's behavior. This was the most disrespecting attitude the noble had ever seen of him. Granted, it was fairly subtle still, but the pureblood didn't usually exhibit his distaste for the Council's actions this clearly.
"Kaname?" He inquired softly.
The pureblood's mischievous glint disappeared and a solemn seriousness replaced his expression.
"They have reasons to kill you, Takuma." he said softly. "I, for instance, am one of them."
Takuma froze where he sat. Then he swallowed hard. No one likes to hear that they should fear for their life. The pureblood must have a reason for telling him this. Never had he heard Kaname speak so clearly about other people's motives.
"But they also have many reasons to keep you alive, as well." Kaname continued. "You are Asato Ichijo's grandson. You are powerful. And you are young. They are hoping to mold you."
Takuma looked at his plate, suddenly not hungry anymore. He didn't like the idea of being 'molded'. Especially not when it had something to do with the Council.
Kaname continued. "Give them no reason to doubt that they can. Follow their orders and do as they wish. Play their game and learn what you can."
The noble nodded. "I understand." his light mood had vanished and he felt despondent. On the other hand, he much preferred still being under Kaname's protection to truly being at the Council's mercy. It made him feel slightly better, trying to see it from that perspective.
Kaname, of course had immediately been aware of his mood.
"There is no need to worry." the pureblood said as he moved his chair back. "Come here." he requested.
The noble obeyed immediately.
"Drink." Kaname said, baring his throat to the collar bone.
Takuma nodded slowly before he pierced the perfect skin as gently as he could.
~{}~
Kaname used the moment to slide into Takuma's mind. The noble was far too busy drinking to notice him there and the pureblood used that to great effect. Pulling forth the power from the hidden drop of his Kuran blood beneath Takuma's hair and welding it with figures of thought in the noble's mind, he wove a tree of connections into Takuma's thought pattern. This was the least painful way to obtain control and it only worked because the noble had admitted him beforehand and hadn't fought his intrusion. It was also one of the most powerful means to maintain control.
It took some strength on Kaname's part not to fall into the lure of taking in every detail he could. Being able to know everything about a person, to read their thoughts, emotions, hopes and dreams at leisure held a strong lure for the pureblood. Kaname briefly had a vision of using the noble for his own pleasure. It was nothing out of the ordinary for purebloods to have servants only for their pleasure. Takuma certainly had the looks for it. But he resisted.
As unobtrusively as possible, he began to work on the noble's mind. Relishing the taste of Kaname's powerful pure blood, Takuma noticed nothing as the pureblood's threads spun through his thought patterns, leaving all of his mind vulnerably open to Kaname. It would take a few days for his control to be complete, but for now it was just fine. Kaname finished with an illusion spell over the drop of blood. Even if anybody searched for it, they wouldn't find it.
Kaname watched the noble control himself as he pulled away from the pureblood. The crimson eyes returned to their usual green color and Takuma thanked him, albeit slightly flustered. The noble no doubt was feeling dazed and high. Kaname knew that Takuma was wondering why he was giving him blood now, but he wouldn't ask the pureblood. So Kaname didn't have to answer.
"Are you still hungry?" he asked.
Takuma shook his head.
"No, Kaname." he stood in the room collecting himself, but Kaname didn't give him the chance. Takuma needed to appear like they were bonded - bonded in the kind of relationship that would usually develop. Which meant Takuma was Kaname's to command. The council would never trust Takuma. That was also never Kaname's intention. It was more important that Takuma appear to be truly bonded with the pureblood to distract from Zero. A trained eye could determine whether two vampires werde bonded or not - even if they tried to hide it. Chances weren't high that anyone would truly care to look closely at the hunter that way, but Kaname and Takuma had to make every effort to appear bonded or people would become suspicious.
It was taken for granted that the lower class vampire would wish to please their mate at all times. It was the cruel reality that the lower class mate would usually feel nothing but devotion toward their bonded partner - it was therefore entirely up to the more powerful vampire to define how deep that servitude went. That was a very serious reason for vampires never to bond - even when married. Often between vampires of similar strength, it was not clear how mutual the bond would turn out to be. In many cases, what started out as a loving couple, quickly turned into a master and slave relationship with one of both partners entirely at the mercy of the other and yet blissfully unaware of how wrong the balance was. The only positive part of it was that, usually, the fact that both would feel the pain of the other limited physical inter-marital cruelty between bonded mates.
Considering these aspects of being bonded, Kaname had yet to understand precisely the nature of his relationship with Zero. Were they truly equal? Or was Zero simply fighting it like he fought his thirst? The bond had been created when Kaname took the hunter's blood. It didn't really bode well that it was usually that way. Generally, the weaker mate needed blood first and the stronger partner allowed completion of the bond afterward. But perhaps being a hunter made Zero more resilient toward being controlled by a vampire. Currently, they appeared to be equal mates. Then again, they weren't really investing in their relationship and even if it were different, Kaname would find it difficult to notice.
The pureblood dismissed his thoughts about Zero. Time would tell - but only if he bought them time. He glanced at Takuma, making sure he looked like a pureblood's mate was expected to look like. The noble had a dazed expression on his face. He almost looked like he was Kaname's little pet. Satisfied with the appearance, the pureblood accompanied the noble outside, laying a possessive arm around his shoulders.
As promised, there was a black car waiting barely visible at the side of the road. But before Takuma could leave toward the direction of the waiting car, the pureblood refused to let him go. To Takuma's utter surprise, Kaname forced the noble to face him and kissed him softly on his forehead. "They're waiting." he whispered. In an even heavier daze and a blush spreading across his cheeks, Takuma walked over to the dark car.
Kaname turned to his own driver. His gaze lingered thoughtfully for a moment before he gave directions to be taken to his office.
~{}~
"Where is he?" The impatient blond noble demanded, bursting into the room that had previously been his target's office. Kain hadn't been able to rear in his cousin ever since their plane landed. It appeared that Aido hadn't slept for over 20 hours. How the usually so spoiled and ever first-to-be-whiney cousin of his still could be this energetic was entirely beyond him.
During the entire time in the baggage claim area, Kain had tried to convince him to get some rest before doing anything rash. But Aido refused to speak with his cousin. Instead of following Shiki, Rima and Ruka home to get some sleep, Aido had grabbed his suitcases, dumped them into the trunk of a taxi and demanded to be taken straight to Takuma's office. It was probably the first time ever that Kain had seen the noble actually carry his own luggage. All twelve items.
Then, Aido had run off the minute the car stopped. Unfortunately, Kain had been forced to have the taxi paid and their luggage taken care of before catching up with his irate cousin. Luckily, not much had been broken so far. Usual collateral damage - where Aido was involved - could quickly exceed vacation housing prices in southern France. Kain was used to it by now. And since collateral damage could generally not be avoided, he just made sure that the objects involved were still replaceable and living targets didn't involve fragile humans or powerful purebloods. For someone finishing their third doctorate thesis, Aido had an amazing capacity for immature outbursts, Kain thought to himself.
Finally having caught up to the blond, he entered the room and stood next to his cousin, surveying the area for damage. There was none to be found as of yet, so Aido's wrath was probably still building. Stealing a sideway glance at him, he saw the telltale blue eyes blaze with the cold icy hue that hinted at what his power was. His angry searching gaze was looking for Takuma but the noble was nowhere to be found. Instead, his assistant spoke somewhat hesitantly, which Kain attributed to the fact that there were currently two powerful nobles in his office and one of them looked angry enough to be lethal.
"I apologize, Aido-san, but Ichijo-sama has moved his office."
Ichijo-sama...? Kain wondered. Judging by the look on Aido's face, similar confusion had set in. This was Takuma's personal assistant. The last time they had met him, he and Takuma went by first names... Takuma-san would have been fine. Ichijo-san kind of weird... but Ichijo-SAMA...?
However, Kain didn't have much time to think about that right now.
Aido was about to throw another serious tantrum. The evidence was all right there. His face reddened slightly and small ice crystals began to form at his fingers. Kain watched, outwardly entirely unfazed by his cousin's pending outburst. Here we go, he thought.
10, 9, 8, 7...
Aido's breathing became shallow as his lips thinned into a fine line.
6, 5, 4...
The poor assistant began sweating nervously, looking like he'd rather be anywhere but here.
3...
Ice began to form beneath Aido's feet.
2...
The temperature in the room dropped by ten degrees.
1...
But before he could explode, Kain heard a well-known voice speaking from the open door behind him, accompanied by a very familiar and very powerful aura.
"Aido, Kain. Were you looking for someone in particular?"
Internally, Kain sighed in relief. Kaname-sama had supurb timing, he had to give him that.
~{}~
"Kaname-sama..." Aido said, bowing flustered. He was fine. His Kaname-sama was fine. ALIVE! Alive and breathing. And of course Aido had made a fool of himself in front of him again. But that didn't matter right now. Kaname-sama was still alive, so Yuki must be ok. Everything was as it was supposed to be.
Vaguely, he was aware that Kain stood next to him and greeted the pureblood as well.
"We were looking for Takuma, Kaname-sama." he heard his cousin say in an even voice.
"Takuma has moved his office, though you won't find him there today. He is currently unavailable, due to an important errand. Perhaps you would care to speak with me instead?"
After a short silence, the pureblood raised an eyebrow.
"Well?" He inquired softly.
Aido shifted uncomfortably. Luckily, Kain decided to phrase diplomatically to the pureblood, what Aido would have much preferred to throw at Takuma in accusation. But for some reason, the pureblood looked like he knew perfectly well what was going on.
"We had been wondering about Yuki-sama's condition. We were not informed of any changes in our absence and were worried." Kain could hear his cousin huffing next to him, Aido still believed that Kain didn't care at all.
The pureblood's expression didn't waver.
"Yuki Kuran has died. There is no need to worry about her anymore."
They were shocked speechless.
"I am sorry, Kaname-sama. My deepest sympathies." Kain said after recovering.
"Thank you." Kaname said politely without emotion.
For once, Aido found no words to say. Had he just... said what he... thought he... heard him say? Yuki-sama dead...? ... DEAD?... But then, why was he so composed? Had he... found someone new? But who would be close enough...?
Barely managing not to gape at the pureblood like an ape, Aido's mind raced for an explanation.
A shuffling behind them reminded him that Takuma's assistant was still there.
"Uhm... if it isn't too much trouble... may I continue... Ichijo-sama has assigned me some important..."
But Aido drowned it out. Ichijo-sama... Ichijo-SAMA... ICHIJO-sama...!
Almost of their own volition, his lips moved to form what was on his mind.
"Kaname-sama is... bound to... Takuma..." he trailed off in a whisper.
The pureblood's lips curved into a knowing smile as both Aido and his cousin stared at him.
"Now that you are up to date, I have work for both of you."
~{}~
After dismissing the two nobles, Kaname sat in his company's office, contemplating.
The ornate chessboard was still there, just as he had left it. Though it looked like an ordinary game to any onlooker, to him it was more of a mental note. Not that he truly needed one - but for some reason, seeing the chess pieces always calmed his thoughts, focusing them. Each piece, both marble and obsidian carried a name in Kaname's mind. Some were integral to almost every move, some would only influence one or two moves and some would leave the board before the game ended. Up until now, there had been little progress - the game appeared to be in a stalemate. But things had changed since yesterday. It was time to bring his mental note back up to date, Kaname decided.
But before his fingers reached the chess piece he was about to move, he felt a tingle crawl up his spine. It was Takuma's attempt at communicating through their minds. It was shaky, but the pureblood facilitated their connection through the patterns in the noble's mind that he had woven with his blood.
'Takuma?' he inquired.
'The Council has reached a decision, Kaname. They have determined that Rido Kuran poses a large threat. He has been seen by some members of the Council and they fear he may be unstable. Knowing that you were the one to oppose him the last time, they have decided to side with you against Rido.'
Kaname's lips twisted into a humorless smirk.
Of course they have... for about three seconds... Kaname thought to himself.
'I see,' he answered the noble. 'What exactly will their support be?'
'They claim to have information on his whereabouts and his future plans. The communication will be through our mental connection only. They provide no guaranties or verifiable arguments. None of this will be recorded or acknowledged in any way.'
How very convenient for them, Kaname mused.
'Furthermore they have decided that they want to protect me for the time being because I am your bond mate. To ensure my safety, I will be kept here for now. After you have received the information, I will be transferred to an undisclosed location. They say it won't be for longer than a day.'
Kaname could hear the doubt in Takuma's mental voice.
'Tell them I agree.' he impressed upon the noble.
'But Kaname, what if it's a lie?'
'Trust me Takuma, if it is, I will handle it.'
'Of course, Kaname.'
The tingle subsided and Kaname was back to his own thoughts. 'Trust me Takuma, I know very well that it's a lie,' Kaname mused quietly to himself. The Council was rather predictable. They weren't the unknown variable in this game. Garnet eyes searching the checkered board, the pureblood picked up a white bishop. He fingered the piece absent-mindedly.
This game would become complicated very quickly. The opening had been unexpected. Being white had been unexpected. His gaze lingered on the black king. He had anticipated the threat and dodged it temporarily with a rather uncharacteristic feint, but if the black pieces weren't rearranged, then the threat would remain more permanent than he'd like and his maneuver would be useless. Kaname pondered this as his gaze swept the lines of his own white pawns.
It was unfortunate, but a pawn would need to be sacrificed to make the move effective and the attack plausible. It would force a counterattack that was predictable. Though there would be casualties on both sides, many time-consuming moves would be needed to be carried out before obsidian would appear to have the edge over marble. And that was preciseley what Kaname wanted his enemy to believe. It was also a likely scenario for such a counterattack if nothing else was overlooked. Now the idea was to prepare a trap in anticipation. He moved a white knight into position.
A pawn would be sacrificed protecting the bishop. Even so, the bishop would be precariously ill protected on the far side of the board between the black pieces. Kaname had to ensure that his bishop didn't fall, even if it meant upholding that dangerous taunt for a while longer. That piece was vital for the match. Without it, one of his flanks, namely Zero, would lack protection. Kaname nodded to himself - a few things were still hidden in this game and it didn't really appeal to the pureblood that he didn't see the full picture, yet. Opening a game out of the blue wasn't always the most advantageous way to achieve victory. What he needed now, was a way to get his Trojan Horse past the city gates.
~{}~
"Shirabuki-sama?" a childlike voice asked timidly.
The blond pureblood woman looked at the large gray eyes curiously. It was always interesting to see what she would dare to ask. The pretty girl in her lap was entirely innocent. A botched up experiment, really. But a pleasurable one, Sara contemplated. She stroked the girl's dark hair with delicate fingers.
"Yes, my little doll?"
The large gray eyes lowered their gaze and Sara smiled as a blush spread across the girl's cheeks. Sometimes her little doll was highly predictable. At other times entirely the opposite. Her body was that of a twelve year old, but her mind had no determinable age. Sara had turned her into a vampire a while ago. But before giving the girl her blood to stabilize her at Level D, she had fed her a potion. In combination with the pure blood, the effect was delightfully macabre. The girl's body would never age. Neither would the way she thought. She would accumulate memories and experiences, but she would always be a twelve-year old. Mentally and physically. And her view of the world would never grow up.
Sara would enjoy erasing parts of her memories only to see the girl re-learn things she could not remember. She had erased and remodeled so much of the girl's mind that the poor thing had no more knowledge of who she had been before she was turned or even that she had been turned. She had neither past nor future - only the present. She was Sara's favorite experiment, her little doll. A pet that couldn't live without her mistress. Sara let her fingers lift the girl's chin to face her. She smiled warmly.
"What is it, my little one?" she asked with mock motherly affection.
Nervously, a tongue flitted between the pink lips as she mustered the courage to speak.
"Would it... please my lady, too... if I... touched her...?"
Sara chuckled musically.
"You mean, like this?" The pureblood slid her fingers underneath the girl's skirt, gliding between the moistened thighs. Sara watched her doll gasp and blush, her legs spreading a bit more across her lap. Her small hands clutched at the pureblood's arms as Sara's fingers roamed deeper, rubbing circles over the girl's wet entrance. The girl didn't have much endurance so Sara slid her fingers in only twice to make sure she was thoroughly needy. Then she removed them, leaving the flushed girl panting.
"Yes... it would please me very much..." Sara said with amusement.
"My lady... please..." the girl whispered.
"Please what...?" Sara prodded.
"Please... don't stop touching..."
Sara grinned and slid her hands into the parted blouse, cupping the girl's barely budding breasts. Massaging them, she watched the delightful reaction. The pureblood discarded the small blouse and slid the small skirt from the slender hips.
A male might have plowed into her now. She was ready - wet and needy enough probably even for that. But Sara did no such thing. She'd never hurt the girl. She had no interest in that. No, this girl was at her best, when you pleasured her.
At a soirée when she had taken her along, a noble had grabbed her. He had roughly worked his hand under her skirt only to find that she wore nothing underneath. Taking her for free game, he had tried to force himself on her. Sara had waited until he was ready to penetrate her before she made an appearance. That was a memory she was careful never to erase from her doll's memory. It made her the best pet she could ever wish for, because she now trusted only her mistress and no one else. It was also much more delightful than having a soulless slave. No, her little doll would never leave her, because Sara always treated her well and she had taught the girl on more than one occasion that no one else could be trusted.
She kissed the girl's flush lips, enjoying the feeling of the innocent attempts at answering the kiss. She was about to work her way down, moving her kisses to a place more pleasurable, when a knock at the door interrupted her.
"Shirabuki-sama?" the voice belonged to one of her servants. She had hired him because she liked his voice. His other 'qualities' were rather mediocre, but since she only needed him to take her requests, his pleasant voice was sufficient. She usually didn't have much visual contact with her servants anyway. They all knew better than to enter unbidden.
"Yes?" she asked between kisses. Still, he stayed behind the door.
"Kuran-sama is on the phone for you. Would my lady like to take the call?"
Sara paused the movement of her lips against the innocent skin.
"Kuran...?" she murmured amused. "I will take the call."
"The call was transferred to the phone in your chamber, Shirabuki-sama." he answered after a second.
She picked up the phone next to her bed and lay down, taking the girl with her.
"Yes?" she said seductively into the phone.
"Hello, Sara."
A voice even more pleasant, she noted. And one she hadn't heard in a while.
"What a surprise... To what do I owe the pleasure, Kaname?" she said, her tone smooth. Her fingers embedded themselves in her doll's hair.
"The pleasure is all mine, Sara. I do not intend to strain your patience so please allow me to be blunt."
Sara tittered a cascade of simpered amusement.
"Now indeed, that would be a first - the great diplomat, Kaname Kuran, being blunt. I can't wait to hear it."
Kaname chuckled in answer.
"You do me too much honor, Sara, dear. It is fairly simple - I have a favor to ask."
Sara smirked. "Another one?"
Holding the phone to her ear by mental force, she pulled her pet's hands up to her lips and kissed the fingers lightly. She had briefly considered sparing the other pureblood her entire attention, because - who was she kidding - this was Kaname Kuran, perhaps the most powerful pureblood currently alive. She would be lying if she said she didn't find him attractive. But her doll still had her attention as well.
"I wasn't aware of a favor prior to the one I was going to ask for today." came the smug reply.
"O Kaname - you liar." Sara chuckled softly in a singing voice. "As far as I remember, you wanted your little noble back... the blond one who loves to play with the sword. What was his name again...?" she asked with false innocence as she guided her pet's hands to the row of buttons down her front.
"Then I assume you mean Takuma..." Kaname answered as though he really had remembered only now.
"Ahh" she said in pleasant delight. "So you do remember..."
Kaname's pleasant voice chuckled softly at the other end of the line.
"Well, if you consider it a favor to return him... then naturally I concede that you are right."
Sara chuckled lightly, running her fingers along her dolls pale skin, who was now comfortably nestled between her legs, slowly undoing one button at a time down to her naval.
"I do." she said softly. "He was rather attentive during his duties while he was here... and so very well trained." Sara knew she was pushing her luck. Speaking about the noble like that who was now Kaname's mate would most likely trigger a storm of jealousy from the pureblood.
"I doubt it not." Kaname answered fluently, almost knowingly. Sara was caught off guard slightly by his reply. But it intrigued her, so she pushed it a bit further. What pureblood in their right mind could resist a verbal gamble?
"It is a shame he is now yours. I would have thoroughly enjoyed his presence again." Her little doll had finally finished unbuttoning her gown completely and she was naked underneath the silken garment. With ease she slipped out of the sleeves and slid her hands around her pet, massaging her petite form.
"Then I am sure you will enjoy what I have to offer - for a favor." Kaname said, catching her attention again immediately.
"I am listening, Kaname." she said seductively, paying great attention to the slight blush spreading across the cheeks of her pet. This was turning out to be a very interesting conversation. She had always wondered if the reclusive pureblood was truly as diplomatic and business-focused as he pretended to be at the few soirées he bothered to attend. It seemed he had a very refined sense of playfulness as well. Perhaps this conversation was actually worth her entire attention...?
"Arrange a meeting between yourself and my uncle in three days." Kaname said. She could literally feel the amusement in his voice travel down her spine.
"You're funny." she giggled. "Wasn't he supposed to be dead?" Of course she knew he wasn't. She had met him already. In stark contrast to his nephew, Rido Kuran was never the type for reclusive behavior. He was entirely as devious and seductive as the average pureblood came. But he was just that - averagely pureblooded. And he was as terrible a lover as he had always been. No decency, no style. Sara mentally shook her head. Not her type.
"I assure you that I am not joking." Kaname said warmly, and again, knowingly.
So he knew that she knew. How? Time to listen more carefully, she decided. Keeping her voice as light as before she asked:
"And what do I do with a man presumed dead in a meeting somewhere in...?"
"...anywhere of your choice. It doesn't matter where. Only when. And that I have a gift for him." Kaname said in amusement.
"You want me to be the herald of your schemes?" she asked with mock offense.
"Do you know me as a man to send a lady into danger?" Kaname countered with mock chivalry.
"No, Sara... you need not worry. I will bring the gift myself. It will not be traceable to you in the slightest. Just use the opportunity to invite him to one of your famous balls and promise him that I will be there because I am in your debt and will be obligated to come. I'm sure that justifies such a meeting thoroughly."
Sara smiled.
"And you intend to sabotage my party?" she inquired innocently.
"By no means, Sara. I expect him to do so. But I will prevent it." Kaname answered without missing a beat.
Sara smiled. "What a perilous game you are playing, Kaname. Should I admire you for it, I wonder... or should I fear you?"
"If you feel intimidated by me you may always postpone your arrival to the ball on short notice..." Kaname offered.
"Now that would make me a terrible hostess, wouldn't it?" Sara chided.
"Since when does your pride depend on the opinion of those who attend the evidence of your generosity just to flatter you?" Kaname countered.
"Touché... Kaname, Kaname." she shook her head. She was definitely curious now. Even if a part of her knew that Kaname had maneuvered her right into a position where she couldn't refuse his offer, be it because of her pride or her curiosity - it didn't matter. She felt confident that it would bring her more benefits than disadvantages. But of course, she wouldn't let the other pureblood get away with what he wanted that easily.
"You would really attend my soirée?" Sara asked in a childlike tone.
"Of course I would." Kaname promised with an honest voice.
"It's been a long time since a party has attracted more than two purebloods... perhaps I will think about it." she said non-committally.
"I'm sure it would be a glamorous event when hosted by you." Kaname flattered.
"What will happen in three days, I wonder?" Sara interjected knowing perfectly well it was all conjured up for some strange purpose she didn't yet fully understand.
"Nothing of importance. I will be on a business trip, actually." Kaname said unperturbed. "I am not the only one calling in a favor."
Sara smiled knowingly. So Kaname was doing someone else a favor... interesting.
"And a true gentleman would never let down someone they were doing a favor for, now, would they, Kaname?"
"Most certainly not." the pureblood agreed.
"Then who would I be to stand in the way of such an honorable act? However, before I agree, I am curious as to what you have to offer in return, Kaname."
There was a chuckle at the other end of the line.
"How would you enjoy Takuma's attentive and well trained presence for an entire week?"
Now THAT had her full attention. "You would hand me your bond mate for an entire week?" she asked, the tone of her voice betraying her astonishment.
"I trust you have no interest in killing or harming him." Kaname answered innocently.
"Of course not." Sara answered in an offended tone.
"Then why should you not enjoy yourself at my expense for a while? After all, you are doing me the second favor..." Kaname offered.
"I would love to." Sara answered without thinking.
She wanted to kick herself mentally for being so careless, but after thinking about it for a second, she decided that most likely, no harm would come of this. It wasn't common for vampires to gamble with their mates, though it wasn't unheard of either. It was just that usually, a mate was much too jealous to allow their partner to be intimate with anyone but themselves. Knowing that Kaname was willing to go that far had made her momentarily forget that she might get into trouble herself... but she pushed the thought aside. Whatever favor she was doing him must be of great importance if he was willing to offer his mate.
She would enjoy her time with the noble thoroughly, thereby making the pureblood happy as well and in exchange, what was a short meeting with Rido against that? Barely worth acknowledging. She'd hadn't had such an entertaining phone call in a long time, perhaps she'd even actually host that stupid ball. Who knew - perhaps Kaname would prove to be a much more reliable ally than his mannerless uncle. Just the thought of Takuma at her disposal was getting her exited.
"Then he will be yours as of next week friday for one entire week. I will personally send him over to you."
Sara was delighted.
"But Kaname, dear. Do please leave him in the dark about this. I would love to see his face when he realizes..." she left the ending for Kaname to guess. He just chuckled in answer.
"As you wish, dear Sara. As you wish."
"Then I look forward to my reward." Sara grinned.
"And I thank you for your time. I apologize for taking so much of your precious time. Enjoy your doll, dear Sara."
He hung up. She smirked.
Of course he would have guessed that she lay in her bed with her doll. But it didn't stop her from doing exactly that.
She kissed the girl and slid her fingers down the small spine.
"Give your lady a hand, won't you?" She said dipping her fingers into the warm wetness between her legs.
"Then I promise to reward you for it."
The girl blushed and nodded, her small fingers hesitantly sliding between her mistress's moist legs.
~{}~
Zero was back at his old apartment. He wanted to rest. To really rest - without vampires around him. The bond was tearing at him but he refused to acknowledge it. Fully clothed, he let himself drop into his bed. It still smelled like Kuran. Kuran and his own blood. The scent was all around him, giving him no relief.
Denied the reprive he required to rest, he simply couldn't sleep. Try as he might, he couldn't. Not only because everything smelled like the pureblood, urging him to seek his presence, but also because Kuran's blood had healed him and energized him. He didn't need rest. So he did what he always did when he couldn't sleep.
He took a walk.
~{}~
Seiren watched the hunter's every move as he exited his door again. This was hunter territory - she couldn't exactly do as she pleased. But she was a noble vampire. And that endowed her with a certain power. As a Praetorian, it was in her nature to have a less easily detectable aura than nobles usually had. It was a great benefit in many situations. However, around this one she had to be very careful. She judged Kiryu to be an exceptional hunter. She had researched all she could find about him, ever since Kaname-sama had disclosed that he was now bonded to him. Anything that helped her judge a situation of potential danger to Kiryu was vital to Kaname-sama's life.
It wasn't that easy to get into the Hunter Association's database files. She couldn't do it on her own. But if someone on the inside unknowingly fed a small, self-destructing trojan program into the computers... Of course they had IT specialists - but security failures in any facility weren't usually due to lacking software. It was rather the human component. Not all hunters were brilliant, not all hunters were aware of the less obvious threats while planning battles with Level E's. Hunter's had a certain weakness when it came down to protection against threats in the virtual, non-physical world.
She had done it before, researching Kaien Cross a few years back, when Kaname entrusted Yuki into his care. Some of her files were still there, disguised as image files or parts of the operating system. Now, it was even easier. All she had to do was revive them. The drunk hunter hadn't noticed a thing as she quickly made an image of his USB device and slipped a slightly modified version back into his pocket. He had been too drunk to even notice that the cute, dark haired waitress with the short skirt and the big breasts had a faint vampire aura. During his next shift, it hadn't been a problem to hack into the Association's main frame.
Their security was definitely lacking. Any other intelligent spy - vampire or hunter - could have obtained the data she had accumulated. And that didn't really bode well for Kiryu's safety with the hunters. However, when speaking about the entirety of Kiryu's files, some safety measures were actually not that bad.
Kiryu's files were unlike Kaien's. She had already read a large portion of them. But the most interesting part about them was that there were many parts to them with different security clearances. A modified brute force decoder was still working on the last security clearance level. With a probability of 89% the passcode would be matched in the course of the next 36 hours. All she had to do was wait.
The Praetorian didn't judge or question. She analyzed and calculated probable behavioral patterns to predict what people would do next. It didn't matter if she liked who she was watching or not. It made no difference if she found their actions in accordance with a set of moral principles or not. Remaining emotionally indifferent to the motivation behind people's actions was the best way be as precise as possible. She had no opinion on Kiryu. Her entire analysis focused on his safety because it was essential to Kaname-sama's.
Seiren's eyes followed Kiryu as he walked down a small, dark alley. Her mind, however, followed what her research about the silver-haired hunter had revealed pertaining to the exact same street, two and a half years ago. There hadn't been much. Just a medical report and the protocol of a short testimony. But she had learned long ago that knowledge of the past was often a key to understanding the present. It lead her to believe that she knew why he was going where he was going.
~{}~
Medical Report on Hunter KZ-87-04-13-FTAA-HLAAA/ Vampire 98-66231-7/ Test subject TSVH-24500988
Patient revived once at 7.13 a.m. after cardiac arrest due to severe blood loss and hunter poison. Heart beat instable for 34 minutes. Sudden loss of blood pressure and cardiac arrest at 7.47 a.m. Second revival successful at 7.58 a.m.
Patient sustained multiple stab wounds to the abdomen and ribcage, severe facial bruising as well as abrasions on knees and elbows. Patient was diagnosed with a concussion, internal bleeding of liver and spleen and multiple fracturing of three ribs, 3 carpal bones of the right wrist and 2 metacarpal bones of the right hand.
Nature of stab wound: hunter weapon inflicted.
Patient secured by charms 7B-Level3 and 9C-Level2
blood and tissue samples analyzed and stored for future reference, no further medical measures applied
signed: Doctor M. Arakaki
~{}~
The Preatorian was especially interested in the fact that there seemed to be medical reports on hunters, vampires and test subjects and Kiryu seemed to fall into all three categories. Perhaps the highest level of security clearance would reveal more. She would also keep a very close eye on the hunter. The reason he had ended up in such critical condition was precisely the location he was heading to in this moment, at least as far as her probabilities added up. All she knew about what happened during that incident was in the interrogation protocol that dated back to the same day.
~{}~
Interrogation Protocol 3422-56-8893346
interrogator: I-8847, referred to as I
questioned: Kaito Takamiya, referred to as T
I: State your name for the protocol.
T: Kaito Takamiya.
I: What relation to you have to Zero Kiryu?
T: He is a fellow hunter. Yagari-sensei trained us both when we were younger.
I: How did you find him tonight?
T: Yagari-sensei asked me to find him because he failed to show up for training.
I: How did you know where he was?
T: I didn't. He wasn't at his apartment. But the door wasn't locked. So I went in and saw that he had taken his hunter weapons. I supposed he had been on his way to training. Knowing that he and Yagari don't usually train at the Association, I searched the area I would expect him to have walked when going to training. That's when I found him.
I: Where exactly did you find him?
T: Seven and a half feet away from his parent's grave next to a crudely dug hole in the ground.
I: Was he alone when you found him?
T: No.
I: Who was with him?
T: Three hunters.
I: Who?
T: I didn't recognize them. They ran when they saw me coming.
I: Did you follow them?
T: No.
I: Why not?
T: Kiryu was wounded.
I: How did you know this?
T: There was a puddle of blood where he lay and blood all over him.
I: So, what did you do?
T: I carried him to Headquarters for medical attention. Can I see him now?
I: No. We are not finished yet. So you found a vampire covered in blood and brought him in for medical attention? What is the hunter protocol for such a situation?
T: There is no hunter protocol for a hunter-turned-vampire who is being beaten up by his fellow hunters.
I: How can you be sure it was his blood? How can you be sure he wasn't the one to attack the hunters?
T: First of all, they ran away from me and he still lay on the ground. I am a hunter - they should have been glad of my presence had they been attacked. Second of all, they left no bloody footprints where they went. Furthermore, they were also much too quick to be wounded.
I: Are you always this sure of your judgment?
T: It's what I'm trained to trust in.
I: Indeed. Does Toga Yagari still oversee your training?
T: Yes.
I: It will be noted. So, in your judgment, Kiryu was not at fault?
T: I don't see how he could be. He was gagged and bound in a puddle of his own blood.
I: When you found him, did he speak?
T: No, he couldn't speak.
I: Are you sure?
T: Yes, I am sure. He was gagged and unconscious. People don't speak when they're unconscious.
I: Please refrain from being rude. It will be noted on your record otherwise. Is that understood?
T: Yes. Perfectly.
I: Good. How did you get him here?
T: As I already said, I carried him.
I: All the way?
T: Yes.
I: Are you sure?
T: Yes.
I: Gagged and Bound?
T: Of course not.
I: So you undid the hunter's security measures on a vampire without authorization?
T: I unbound my wounded friend.
I: And then you lifted him up and carried him here?
T: Yes.
I: How long did it take?
T: About two and a half hours.
I: Are you saying you carried a wounded vampire of your own weight for two and a half hours without security measures?
T: I carried a wounded and unconscious fellow hunter for two and a half hours.
I: Weren't you afraid he would bite you?
T: No.
I: Why?
T: He is a hunter.
I: He is a vampire. He has already fallen before. You know this. Why did you bring him?
T: He needed medical attention.
I: Please state the Association's rule when bringing in a wounded vampire known to have fallen.
T: He is a hunter.
I: State the rule. Or do you not know it?
T: Of course I know it. Rule 47.1.A: Upon falling to Level E, a vampire poses a constant threat to public safety unless the creating pureblood provided blood to his created vampire. Vampires known to have fallen and having killed are to be executed with hunters weapons immediately on-site. Level E vampires known to have fallen without having killed are to be brought into Association's Headquarters securely bound with hunter cuffs, gagged and charmed with draining spells 7E, 7D, 7C, 7B or 7A according to their potential strength and binding spells 9E, 9D, 9C, 9B or 9A. They are to be retained in secure cells according to rule 78.5.C. When kept for longer than 12 hours, they are not to be fed, save with a blood tablet per day dissolved in a cup of water. Medical attention is to be kept at a minimum.
I: Knowing he is a vampire, if you know the rule, why didn't you follow it?
T: It would have killed him. Wait a moment. That was the plan all along, wasn't it? You wanted him to die, right? You were going to let a bunch of hunters kill him. Or even better, wound him until he attacks so you have legitimate reason to kill him. And the fool didn't even defend himself.
I: You have overstepped your boundaries, hunter. Your attempt at false accusations will not go unnoticed. This transgression will be reported, Takamiya Kaito. The interrogation will be continued by internal affairs during the next 24 hours. Prepare yourself for an unpleasant stay in detention confinement.
~{}~
Bearing in mind what possibly transpired two and a half years ago, Seiren was not surprised that Kiryu encountered difficulties on his way to his parent's grave. Five figures stopped him. They were hunters judging by their aura. She could barely make out their words, but it appeared they were arguing. It was clear that they refused to let Kiryu pass. The silver-haired hunter remained calm. Seiren optimized her position so she could hear the conversation.
"... don't want our children on a hunt with a backstabbing Level E vampire." a male voice growled.
"Yeah... I don't know why they keep you... you're a good-for-nothing-son-of-a..."
"There is no need to insult my mother." she heard Kiryu comment.
"You think you're so smart... Kiryu..." one of them spat in a dangerous whisper so that Seiren could barely hear the voice. His lip movement was easily decipherable through the binoculars, though.
"... we need to repeat the lessen we gave you?" A blade shone in his hand. Seiren decided to intervene at that moment. She had insufficient data on hunter behavior to judge whether Kiryu would be able to get out of the situation unharmed on his own or not. Past incidents suggested that he would rather take unjustified punishment from the hunters than risk opposing them for fear of losing his position.
Knowing that it would affect Kaname-sama and he had asked her to protect him, that was unacceptable.
~{}~
"What are you doing here, vampire?" one of the hunters sneered as a solemn figure appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Zero knew her presence without looking. In a flash, three hunters pointed weapons at the vampire. Internally, Zero shook his head.
Too slow.
If she had wanted, all five would be dead by now. The stench of liquor they emitted explained everything. Zero himself wouldn't have had any trouble overpowering them - perhaps even without hurting them much. If he wanted, that is.
Of course Kaname would send a guard dog to follow him, Zero scoffed mentally. But with her, he had sent his best. The hunter had seen her only on rare occasions. Even at Cross Academy, she had only shown up to protect the pureblood. She was more like Kuran's shadow - but at least she had never been a trouble maker. Of the few vampires he would consider tolerable, she would be one of them. At least she knew how to shut the hell up and didn't waste his time with mindless babbling.
Seiren gave a small bow and spoke. "Kiryu-san, I apologize for interrupting, but Kuran-sama requests your presence and expertise. The matter is rather urgent."
"Well, he can't have him until we're done with him." another hunter sneered. "Maybe you'd care to join, vampire."
"I'm afraid delay isn't acceptable. Both Kaname Kuran-sama and Kaien Cross-san would be highly displeased if their call were not answered because of minor differences." she answered.
Clever move. Zero had to give her that much. In hunter territory, a vampire had to state their business if they showed up. Of course he knew why she was here. But the other hunter's didn't. However, her options were limited. She couldn't attack a hunter unless she was sure both that she would succeed and leave no trace of her involvement. Bringing in the famous hunter Cross would surely get their attention.
They grumbled among each other, but no one dared to oppose something Kaien Cross had requestd. The man may behave like a total child in front of his foster children, but he had a lot of political power. No one in the Association - even the Association's president - could afford to be openly at odds with him. Though they were highly displeased at his efforts at co-existence, precisely these efforts had won him many political allies. When both Kuran and Cross asked for someone, chances were that it was about diplomatic issues. It would look very bad if a few hunters were the reason that something went wrong on the political stage.
They hated Zero passionately, but they weren't prepared to actually risk something to take their anger out on him. They were cowards. And drunk. Why else would they be five when Zero was alone? Last time they had been only three. So Zero had gained respect, even among them. What they didn't know was that even back then, Zero could have easily won against them had he chosen to fight. But he wasn't stupid enough to walk into their little trap. Not then and not now. They were only waiting for him to attack to have their accusations justified and him executed for harming a hunter.
"Fine. Run to the pureblood, little vampire and hide under his skirts. That's the only thing you're good for anyway. We will meet again, when you're less... occupied." the gravelly voice chuckled cruelly. Zero watched them disappear before he answered Seiren without looking at her.
"So Kuran sent you to follow me. Does he truly require my presence? Or was that a lie to get rid of them?"
"Kaname-sama sent me to protect you. However, matters are now more complicated."
"What does he want?"
"As I said - he requests your presence and expertise."
"What for?"
"Takuma Ichijo has been abducted."
